Deployable Stents - Isis Project No 946
Leading research at the University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, has resulted in the novel design of stents for use in interventional surgery for stenosis.
Background
A stent is a medical device used to hold open tubular body passageways such as the aorta and oesophagus, it may also be used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Stenosis (narrowing or obstruction) of such passageways can result in major medical problems. For example stenosis in blood vessels, supplying the heart muscle or the brain, can reduce the flow of blood to such an extent that the critical areas are no longer able to function. When this happens, a heart attack or a stroke can occur. It is possible to re-open stenosed blood vessels with stents, which are inserted into the lumen of the vessel and are then expanded to keep the vessel open, and maintain adequate blood flow.
Problem
Stents can be made of metal mesh, which allows a good expansion rate and tractability. However, restenosis is a major problem with these types of open structures, as tissue will grow between the mesh to block the lumen again. When this happens, it is not possible to remove the stent, and another one will have to be inserted in order to correct the problem. As this involves stents being implanted inside one another, there is a limit to the number of stents which can be implanted at one location. Covered stents can reduce this problem, however the use of a cover brings the risk of slippage, and hence migration of the stent.
The Oxford Invention
An exciting new research program at the University of Oxford has resulted in the development of several novel design structures for stents. These stents would be made out of a sheet of biocompatible material, thereby preventing restenosis, and the pattern of folds, along with roughening of the outer surface, should greatly reduce slippage and migration compared to other covered stents. The pattern of folds should allow for easy expansion once in position, and if required, the tube can be contracted both radially and longitudinally to allow for easy removal. These new stents should also improve on expansion rate and tractability over existing models.
Commercialisation Opportunity
Due to the enormous incidence of cardiovascular disease in every part of the globe there is a very large market for this technology, which would improve the quality of interventional surgery. Stenosis can also occur in other vital areas of the body such as the trachea, and so this invention would have wide applications in other areas of medicine as well as cardiovascular. Patent protection has been applied for, and Isis would welcome enquiries from potential partners interested in commercialising this intriguing, innovative technology.